Paint brush with improved grip construction and method of manufacture thereof

A paint brush comprising:

• said paint applicator having a proximal end and a distal end,
• said distal end being adapted to be secured to brush head means,
• a handle having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a plurality of brush filaments extending along parallel axes and formed into a group of bristles;
• a ferrule coupling the bristles to the distal end of the brush handle, the ferrule having a length extending substantially perpendicular to the axes of the brush filaments;
• a thumb and finger control means located closely adjacent the distal end of the handle,
• said control means including an arcuate inclined surface extending tangent to the ferrule length, wherein the inclined surface is of a size large enough to partially surround the thumb or a finger of a user to retain the thumb or finger in place during use.

A brush

• said brush including a brush handle
• said brush handle having a proximal end and a distal end
• said distal end being adapted to be secured to brush head means
• said handle having core means which provides strength and rigidity to the handle and which extends from its proximal end portion to its distal end,
• said handle further having a layer of solvent resistant gripping material overlying at least a substantial portion of the core means,
• said layer of gripping material having a thickness sufficient such that the layer has the characteristics with respect to compressibility and flexibility of rubber-like material or soft plastic,
• means for interlocking the core means and the layer of gripping material both radially and axially,
• said interlocking means being a mechanical interlock, and
• brush head means, said brush head means including
• a plurality of brush filaments formed into a group of bristles suitable for use in coating applications, and
• a ferrule securing the upper end portion of the group of brush filaments to the distal end portion of the brush handle.

A method of forming brush handles, the method including the steps of:

• forming a core member having the requisite strength and rigidity of a brush handle, wherein the core member has an outer surface including at least a base material;
• said forming step including simultaneous forming of an integral projection means extending outwardly from the main body of the core member;
• positioning of the core member and its integral projection means in a forming cavity;
• forming at least one layer of a gripping material completely about the projection means and at least a substantial portion of the core member, wherein the at least one layer has a thickness sufficient such that the layer has the characteristics with respect to compressibility and flexibility of rubber-like material or soft plastic, and wherein the gripping material includes the base material;
• whereby a mechanical interlock is formed between the layer of gripping material and projection means which resists relative movement of the core member and the layer of gripping material both radially and axially;
• and
• heat fusing the layers to the outer surface of the core, whereby the fused base materials of the layer and the core and the mechanical interlock retain the at least one layer about the core when exposed to harsh solvents.

A paint applicator,

• said paint applicator including a handle having a proximal end and a distal end,
• said distal end being adapted to be secured to paint applicator head means,
• said handle having core means which provides strength and rigidity to the handle and which extends from its proximal end portion to its distal end,
• said handle further having a layer of gripping material overlying at least a substantial portion of the core means,
• said layer of gripping material having a thickness sufficient such that the layer has the characteristics with respect to compressibility, flexibility and non-slip characteristics of rubber-like material or soft plastic,
• means for interlocking the core means and the layer of gripping material radially and axially with respect to the handle,
• said interlocking means being a mechanical interlock,
• a plurality of brush filaments formed into a group of bristles suitable for use in coating applications, and
• a ferrule securing the upper end portion of the group of brush filaments to the distal end portion of the brush handle.

A paint applicator comprising:

• a paint retaining and releasing medium for applying paint to a surface;
• and a handle coupled to the medium, the handle including:
• a rigid core;
• and
• a layer of solvent resistant gripping material overlying at least a substantial portion of the core, the layer of gripping material having a thickness sufficient such that the layer has the characteristics with respect to compressibility and flexibility of rubber-like material or soft plastic, wherein the gripping material is sufficiently resistant to the following solvents so as to experience a weight change of less than 40 percent following ASTM test procedure D-471:
• 98% Sulfuric Acid;
• 10% Hydrochloric Acid;
• 50% Sodium Hydroxide;
• 10% Potassium Hydroxide;
• Water;
• Ethanol;
• n-Hexane;
• Methylethylketone;
• Acetone;
• Mineral Spirits
• n-Octane;
• and
• n-Pentane.

A brush comprising:

• a brush handle having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a layer of soft flexible rubber-like material, wherein the layer defines a band and a shoulder extending above the band;
• a plurality of brush filaments formed into a group of bristles suitable for use in coating applications;
• and
• a ferrule coupling the bristles to the distal end of the brush handle, the ferrule being compressed against the band and the shoulder to form a seal between the distal end of the brush handle and the ferrule.

A brush comprising:

• a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, the handle including:
• a rigid core;
• and
• a layer of gripping material overlying at least a substantial portion of the core, the layer of gripping material being formed of a compressible material and having a sufficient thickness so as to be compressible;
• and
• a brush head coupled to the handle and including:
• a plurality of brush filaments formed into a self-sustaining group of bristles;
• and
• a ferrule extending about the self-sustaining group of bristles and extending adjacent to the distal end of the brush handle, wherein the ferrule is compressed against the layer of gripping material proximate to the distal end of the brush handle to form a seal between the ferrule and the distal end of the brush handle.